The Sun at Twilight by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the four book in the series. Yet again excellent description throughout. Is an very enjoyable read. The story is nicely paced and not rushed where you can feel the time go by and not at the same time. The characters are really well written
I really like Kurunta. Who will rule the empire is the major question.
The Sun at Twilight by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Sun at Twilight (Empire at Twilight Book 4)
By N.L. Holmes. This author is quickly becoming one of my top faves. Definitely one of the authors that has me enjoying reads outside my comfort zone. And this one was just as great as past reads. I recommend this entire series but this one may have been my favorite. It just captured me in a different way than the rest but they are really great also. The author takes readers on an adventure you can’t forget. The characters are complex and drew me in with no problem. The storyline is well written and paced nicely never feeling rushed. I’m already excited to see where the author takes readers next. Four stars and highly recommended!
The Sun at Twilight by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Sun at Twilight (Empire at Twilight Book 4) by N.L. Holmes. I have absolutely loved this series which shocks me because this is not my favorite genre. I have loved every book a little more than the one before. This one was just as amazing as the others. This one takes place during the Hittite Empire and where Tudhaliya IV is the ruler and he wants to shake things up a bit. He doesn’t want to listen to the Royal Advisors and wants to take the Kingdom in an entirely different direction. He seems to be more forgiving and not as harsh as previous rulers but his enemies see that as a weakness. This sign of weakness causes his cousin who is more like a brother Kurunta to challenge the Throne. Will Tudahaliya lose his Kingdom along with his cousin/friend or will he be able to change the way things have always been?
The Sun at Twilight by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Sun at Twilight (Empire at Twilight Book 4) by N.L. Holmes is a historical tale. The story is set in the Hittite Empire in the 1230s BC. NL is known for her historical stories which is her passion and that shines through in her stories. Fiction and historical facts is a winning combination that makes her stories come alive to give you an intriguing drama filled story each and every time.
Tudhaliya is conflicted between his duty and his friendship and loyalty to family. Who can he trust and listen too?
Reviewed by @jennadb
The Sun at Twilight by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the fourth book in this series which I enjoyed from beginning to end. I highly suggest reading the previous three books as they are just as great as this one. This is an author I enjoy. Her writing skills and attention to details made the story realistic. The characters bring the story to life and kept the story engaging. This is a story of friendship, family and sacrifice. There is a fight for a thorn and for an empire that is free. I had no issues relating to the characters. They really made the story for me. I highly recommend reading this book to see what happens with this empire.
Review by @bjwagner
~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
N.L. Holmes is the pen name of an archaeologist who has taught ancient history and humanities at the college level for many years. She is the author of eight novels set in the Bronze Age. With her husband, she splits her time between Florida and northern France.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Singer and Her Song (Empire at Twilight Book 2) by N.L. Holmes. This author continues to impress me with each book I pick up. This author knows how to write a unique story that will have readers intrigued and hoping for more. The storyline was definitely one that drew me in from the beginning and I liked getting lost in the pages. Characters are complex and relatable. Uqnitum is as unique as her name and I really liked following her story it was a great way to spend my time in a book world. Storyline was well written and paced nicely, the attention to even the smallest details are something I appreciate about this author. I’m really looking forward to more from this author. I’m usually more for a more here and no type of read but this author definitely knows how to pull me in to her older times type stories. Four stars and highly recommended!
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book in the Empire of the twilight series, a fascinating tale of historic fiction set in Syria in the early 13th century BC. The story is centered around Uqnitum , a singer from the musical lineage, who had to flee from Mittani, which was wiped by the Assyrians, when she looses her husband and her youngest child. She flees along with her pregnant widowed daughter and her guilt makes her an abusive dangerous mother. She has to fight and get back her strength from sinking into the darkness.
This is my third book from this author and I enjoy reading her books. To start with, I loved the title of the book, it is quite lyrical. Rich, vibrant in history and vivid descriptions, this book is both informative and entertaining at the same time. The book delves deep into a range of human emotions, from anger, pity, betrayal, fear all the way to self-realization and discovery. This was a very compelling read and I hope to read more from N.L.Holmes.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the story of Uqnitum, she is the daughter of a musician and has a family with her husband who plays the lyre, she lives with her son and pregnant daughter in Kahat, a city in the Mitannian Empire and they are under siege from the Assyrians and have been for months, they are running out of food and water and the relentless pounding of the battering ram against the city gates has become the norm, they toil away in the daytime moving rocks to the gate, everyone plays their part, the women and children moving the rocks and the men breaking the buildings down and piling the rocks behind the gate. At night, she thinks about the past, how she met her husband, defied her father and ran away to start a family, also the differences in their personalities and how they can sometimes work against the other and resentment creeps in, but she knows she has to be string in the circumstances for them all regardless of whether they can be strong in return.
The daily routine has been the same until one night when the gate is breached and all hell breaks loose in the small city, it turns out that the Assyrians have been undermining the city walls and now they are collapsing along with their houses, as Uqnitum wakes in the middle of the night, she realises what is happening and herds her family out of the house in an attempt to escape the soldiers, they however become surrounded by the soldiers as well as the fires their arrows have ignited in their neighbours homes and after declaring that they are musicians and singers, hoping for leniency, they are moved and grouped with the other residents of the city, where they are all bound together and led through the city gates, all the while stepping on the bodies of their neighbours and outside to the army camp where they are separated from her husband.
A water flask is passed round, she manages to get her son to drink despite his fear, they then begin to march in a long line as the day heats up, they are exhausted, thirsty and hungry, but they have to keep moving onwards, the soldiers seeing that they do by hitting them with their swords flat edge if they fall behind and those who do fall are left where they fall for the vultures. Eventually they come to a river and are forced to cross, Uqnitum and her daughter carry her son across, he can’t swim and has a fear of water, fortunately, he keeps his eyes shut and they make it across, but as he becomes more tired, she is worried that he may start to cry and scream, he prays that he won’t. Later on they all stop marching and the men are brought back, only for them to be blinded by the soldiers using hot pokers,Uqnitum’s husband is spared when she repeats that he is a musician, but nobody else is as lucky, after this horrendous event, they are allowed to rest, the water flask is passed round again, as is some dry bread, her sons still struggles understanding what is going on and this all comes to a head when the worst happens and he attacks one of the soldiers for taking the water away, all too quickly it is over, her son is dead and Uqnitum flies into a rage over it and because of this her husband is blinded, as the march continues, he loses hope and as the pain and despair overtake him, he goes mad and shouts at a soldier with all the insults and curses he can think of, the soldiers retaliate, he is beaten to death and left at the side of the road as well.
This is just the beginning of their journey when an escape is made and another long journey begins when the rains arrive and a deluge starts, they manage to avoid soldiers, hunters and dogs by crossing rivers, bridges and rolling hills, but they are weak from lack of food, water, shelter and are thankful, but wary when they find the Hittite army and are taken in and taken to the court of Ugarit, however safety is not yet theirs as Uqnitum feels the guilt in her part in the deaths of her family and is struggling to come to terms with it, but will her mind shatter from the grief, or will it make her a stronger person who is able to deal with whatever the future holds? This is a story of tragedy, determination, grief and love, it will leave you heartbroken and yet hopeful at the same time and you will want to read until the end to see what happens to the family on this hard road they take.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Singer and Her Song (Empire at Twilight Book 2) by N.L. Holmes. I love these books so much. The author writes so vividly that I feel as if I’ve been to these places. Its is book 2 but it can be read as a standalone easily but I recommend reading both. This book is set in 14th Century BC and the book tells the story of refugees from the ancient land of Mittani in Mesopotamian. This little known nation has been wiped out by the Assyrians and the refugees of this fine land are all musicians. They are known to have amazing musical skills. Uqnitu is a singer that is not liked at all because of her temper and controlling ways. These things also help her in her field. Of course dysfunctional families are nothing new and Uqnitu comes from a very dysfunctional one. This book shows us horrible conditions these families are living under and building new lives from the ground up. I loved this book and I didn’t want it to end.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There is little praise I could give N.L. Holmes that she hasn’t received already. The Singer and Her Song is the third book I’ve read by this author and it reads well as a stand alone novel. It follows the story of a musician, Uqnitum, in the midst of war. Her kingdom of Mitanni falls to the Assyrians and she must flee for her life with what’s left of her family. Ancient history is such a delight to learn about, but N.L. Holmes’ rich world-building and strong characters gives special life to people and events from thousands of years ago.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Singer and Her Song is an immersive historical novel by N.L. Holmes. It is the second book in the Empire at Twilight series and can be read on its own.
I adore Holmes’ vivid descriptions of historical settings. She combines in depth historical research with a rich imagination and attention to detail to bring to life worlds that are millennia old. The characters feel so alive and their experiences and emotions are so moving and engaging.
The Singer and Her Song is a dark, heart-breaking story. Uqnitum, the singer, is not a likeable character. She has a temper and a need to be in control that drives people away from her and makes her difficult to work with. But it is also the strength and conviction that she needs to survive in a world that seems determined to take everything from her. The narrative alternates between different perspectives and whilst from other perspectives we see the damage Uqnitum wrecks on those around her, from her own perspective we see her processing immense grief and loss and fighting to protect what she has left.
For me, the real strength of this novel is how it addresses issues and struggles that are just as real today, with the writing style bringing them to life and drawing the reader in. We see refugees living through terrible experiences and then struggling to build a new life in a strange place. We see tensions in families who love each other but can’t spend time together without getting into fights. We see people in power thinking they can get away with hurting others. It all feels very relevant
This story contains graphic descriptions of violence and death, as well as scenes of sexual abuse. As such, it’s not suitable for younger readers but would make a great read for adults who loved historical fiction in their youth.
For me, this is a five-star book. It totally drew me in and transported me to an unfamiliar place and time. It’s not a cheerful read, but there is hope and strength in the characters and their stories. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and stories about messy family life.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Singer and Her Song (Empire at Twilight Book 2) by N.L. Holmes is a historical fiction story. This time we are transported to Mesopotamian land of Mittani. As usual NL is passionate and well researched in the genre that each story is written and shows in the storyline. She also has the ability to paint a vivid picture. The narrative is original and engaging and NL does a great job of bringing it all together. This is not just a story it is also a lesson on life in Syria in 1235 BCE.
Reviewed by @jennadb
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
The Singer and Her Song (Empire at Twilight #2) by N.L. Holmes
Another great read by Holmes. I’ve read many of her other books and to say this one tops my favorite list is an understatement.
Uqnitum comes from a long lineage of musical performance. There is bad things going on outside of the town’s gates and it’s not looking promising. Having lost a son-in-law and now worrying about losing her husband and youngest son. The quote I chose for Uqnitum is: “You’re expecting humanity from those people? Gods protect us all. I’ll collect the dishes. Tatasshe may or may not snap out of her snit…”
Highly recommended for Historical lovers.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve read many new authors this year. Above them all stands N. L. Holmes. She really is my newest favorite. I know when I pick her book up it will be a good read. They don’t always end the way I wish but isn’t that just like life. The Singer and Her Song delivers in the same way that all her books do. A world rich with the tapestry of everyday living, characters so real you feel you know them or at least someone like them. She doesn’t pull any punches with the raw emotion involved with the mundane affairs of everyday living or the inevitable crisis. Who hasn’t had a family or a family member that’s so dysfunctional it’s a poison to everyone around them? Even people that came unaware to the party. Once again this is a story set in an ancient land in an ancient time but with characters that reflect the same flaws that so many of us have in this time and place. The stage may change but the actors remain the same. Congratulations N. L. Holmes another excellent read.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book in the Empire At Twilight Series. It is a really captivating and great story. The author does such a good job with the characters and also with the historical aspect as well that it feels like you have actually stepped back in time.
Uqnitum and her family are giftesld musicians. They have lived a happy life until their village is invaded and their life’s are destroyed.
After Uqnitum loses her family and one of her children, she and her pregnant daughter are forced to flee to try and find safety. However the guilt of losing her husband and her child is becoming harder for Uqnitum to bear and when she starts to become a danger things need to change.
Can Uqnitum and her daughter reach safety? Can Uqnitum regain herself before she hurts someone or herself? Is she strong enough to get over the loss of her family and the guilt its brought?
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the 2nd book in the series. I’d highly recommend reading the first book before this one. The author has done a great attention to detail. Uqnitum has delt with alot of challanges in her life and is trying to find santracy. There is a great balance between history action and drama. A amazing read.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Holmes continues to beautifully blend story with history and make an ancient culture come to life, jumping off the pages. As a history buff, I truly appreciate the detail Holmes includes and certainly this book was no exception. I was immediately transported to a time very different from present and still was able to immediately connect to the main character. The raw emotion that was present from page one just jumped into my heart. I loved this book and cannot recommend it highly enough.
Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
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The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes is the second book in the Empire at Twilight Book series. This series has been quite enjoyable and this second part of the series did not let me down. The author has built a wonderful historical fiction which incorporates the court of Ugarit. There is so much involved and the characters help bring this period to life. I really enjoyed how the story progressed and I really liked the story of Uqnitum and her daughter. Uqnitum dealt with so many challenges in her life and kept trying to find sanctuary. This had me reading just to find out what was going to happen. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you have not already picked up the first book in the series, I highly recommend reading that book first to enhance this book for you. The storyline is active. It has ups and downs, twists and turns, and all over a great line. The characters are fully developed and can be seen as real-life people. I was captivated from the first page until the last page. This story is about Uqntum a singer who has a tremendous loss. She has become another person who needs to find herself. Her character goes through so much, and I felt like I was going through all of it with her. I highly recommend reading this series as you will not be disappointed.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Though from a completely different time period, these characters can resemble us, here and now. The faults of this singer are relatable but a story of resilience and determination. This, like other works by Ms. N. L. Holmes is a work of art, a true masterpiece!
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Though from a completely different time period, these characters can resemble us, here and now. The faults of this singer are relatable but a story of resilience and determination. This, like other works by Ms. N. L. Holmes is a work of art, a true masterpiece!
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes is the second book in the Empire at Twilight series. This book could be read as a stand-alone however I would definitely recommend reading book 1 first as I feel it would enhance the whole reading experience.
This book is a great follow up to the first of the series. It has all the standard trademarks yeah I have come to expect from this author – strong and descriptive writing, interesting and complex characters as well as an overall great story. I found it really easy to get drawn into the story and become engaged what was happening.
I would definitely recommend reading this series and the other books by this author, you won’t be disappointed.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
The Singer and Her Song (Empire at Twilight Book 2) by N.L. Holmes
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An enjoyable and engaging historical fiction novel set in the kingdom of Mitanni. Uqnitum is a singer from a famous musical lineage but the fall of their city to the Assyrians costs her the life of both her husband and her youngest child. Along with her widowed daughter who is pregnant they flee to the court of Ugarit. However Uqnitum feels guilty over her part in her husband’s death and this affects her increasingly unhinged personality and she becomes dangerous. This is a wonderfully written and detailed novel, the narrative brings both the time period and the setting alive. The main characters are likeable and the storyline has enough going on in it to keep the reader happily turning the pages.
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3 ½ Stars
The Singer and Her Song is the second book in the Empire at Twilight series by N.L Holmes. This book can be read as a standalone in the series, without feeling like you are missing out bits of storyline or information. I have read most, if not all, of Ms. Holmes book now, and I have found the one thing that connects them all and impresses me the most, is the rich and vibrant historical details she weaves into all her work. As with all her other books, Ms. Holmes passion for history shines through in her writing, which makes reading her stories a real pleasure.
This story is a fascinating blend of fiction and historical fact, woven into quite an interesting tale. This time, the story is set in Syria in 1235 BCE- which really comes to life under the authors creative hands.
We get plenty of dysfunctional family dynamics, drama, emotion, and some self-realisation and discovery too. It is an intriguing story that held my attention the whole way through. While not my favourite read of hers, it was non-the-less entertaining.
Happy Reading!
Thank you, N.L Holmes!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Singer and Her Song (Empire at Twilight Book 2) by N.L. Holmes
4 Stars!!!!
Another trip through history with some drama and action. This is the second book I have read from this author and I once again was taken back in history and even though fiction thouroughly enjoyed this book. The characters really just jump off of the pages for me and I found myself just lost in the book.
I really like how the author is able to bring the chracters to life and draw out the story. I like that
there is a balance of action and drama. The twists and turns in the book keep the reader glued to the pages. The author just brings everything together well and has the reader wanting more. I will definitely read more from this author in the future.
Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
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The Singer and Her Song by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book in this series. I enjoyed it just as much as the first. I highly suggest reading the first book before this one to help your enjoyment of this series. This is a well written story that the author’s attention to details made the story feel realistic. The characters were connectable and kept the story engaging. Uqntum is a singer who has lost her husband and one of her children. As the story goes on, she becomes dangerous and will need to find her strength. I felt bad for her in parts but she made such a great character. I wanted to see what happened to her. This book kept me turning pages to the end. I highly recommend reading Uqntum’s story and if she finds her inner strength.
Review by @bjwagner
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~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
N.L. Holmes is the pen name of a professional archaeologist who received her doctorate from Bryn Mawr College. She has excavated in Greece and in Israel, and taught ancient history and humanities at the university level for many years. She has always had a passion for books, and in childhood, she and her cousin (also a writer today) used to write stories for fun.
Today, since their son is grown, she lives with her husband, three cats and a dog. They split their time between Florida and northern France, where she gardens, weaves, plays the violin, dances, and occasionally drives a jog-cart. And reads, of course.
The North Wind Descends by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I came back to this series after a gap, I had read the first one, The lightning horse but did not read books 2 and 3. So I was a little apprehensive when I picked this book. I had the background of the characters but over the span of four books, they have all changed, aged and characters have been introduced.
The book starts off with a murder mystery which the Egyptian diplomat Hani has to solve and this time around, a specific request from the queen has to be honored.
The plot is complex, and there are lots of twists and turns. There is a murderer on loose and Hani’s family is in jeopardy. His daughter also gets involved and Hani finds himself tangled in a complex puzzle which becomes increasingly difficult to solve.
This book blends historic fiction and mystery beautifully. It is a very fast read, and it keeps the readers on their toes on what is coming next. Overall, a very compelling and an enjoyable read.
